EDL leader Tommy Robinson Resigns

Rasa - The leader of one of the most active Islamophobic groups in the United Kingdom has announced that he has resigned from his position, saying that it is better to counter Islamism with democratic ideas rather than violence.

News ID: 477

Date: 11 October 2013 - 22:16

Rasa News Agency Reports - Tommy Robinson, the leader of the English Defence League, one of the most well-known Islamophobic groups in the United Kingdom, has resigned from his position.

“I have been considering this move for a long time because I recognise that though street demonstrations have brought us to this point, they are no longer productive,” he explained.

“I acknowledge the dangers of far right extremism and the ongoing need to counter Islamist ideology not with violence but with better, democratic ideas,” he added.

Speaking on the BBC’s 5 Live radio, he said he was tired of being associated with “morons” who advocate violence against Muslims.

“When some moron lifts up his top and has got a picture of a mosque saying ‘boom’ and it’s all over the national newspapers - it’s me. It’s when I pick up my kids from school the parents are looking at me, judging me on that,” he said.

The resignation of former leader of the English Defence League, who has a string of criminal convictions and a history of Islamophobia actions, was met with a mixed reaction by Muslims and anti-EDL campaign groups.

A few weeks ago, Kevin Carroll, another member of the extremist group, also left the extremist group.

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